失独家庭 (Shi du jia ting): Families bereft of their only child

Families bereft of their only child 失独家庭 (Shi du jia ting)

Statistics estimate that over a million families have lost their only child in China, many of which are unable to reproduce, and the number of such families is still increasing. Under the current family planning policy, there is an estimated population of 190 million only children aged 15 to 30.

Given the fact that women biologically over 49 are incapable of giving birth, elderly mothers losing their only child have little possibility of having another baby.

Elderly parents bereaved of their only child are a mounting concern in Chinese society as they encounter financial difficulties, loss of essential assistance in their later life, and also emotional suffering.

A comprehensive aid mechanism is called upon for this disadvantaged group, such as improving the pension and insurance systems, and the emotional support of communities.

The civil affairs authorities are researching how to take care of aged parents who have lost their only child. Many of this year's local political advisory bodies' annual conferences highlighted the urgency of helping this special disadvantaged group.

(China Daily 03/01/2013 page9)